Sonny Chiba

Sonny Chiba

Date of Birth:

Jan 23, 1939

Place of Birth:

Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan

Sonny Chiba (born January 23, 1939 - August 19, 2021), also known as Shin'ichi Chiba, was a Japanese actor and martial artist. Chiba was one of the first actors to achieve stardom through his skills in martial arts, initially in Japan and later before an international audience.  Born in Fukuoka, Chiba played a variety of sports in high school, including baseball and volleyball. He also practiced gymnastics and participated at the National Sports Festival of Japan in his third year. When he was a university student, he learned martial arts, earning a black belt in Kyokushin Karate in 1965 and later receiving a fourth degree in 1984.

Chiba's career began in the 1960s, when he starred in two tokusatsu superhero shows. In his first role, he replaced Susumu Wajima as the main character Kōtarō Ran/Seven Color Mask in Seven Color Mask (Nana-iro Kamen) in the second half of the series. However, his breakthrough role was in the 1974 film The Street Fighter. Before retiring, Chiba had also appeared in a number of English language American films, including Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) and Fast & Furious 3: Tokyo Drift (2006).

Chiba died of COVID-19 complications at the hospital in Tokyo on 19 August 2021, at the age of 82.

Description above from the Wikipedia article Sonny Chiba, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

filmography:

Doberman Cop Doberman Cop

1977

Bond of Justice: Kizuna Part II - Judgement Bond of Justice: Kizuna Part II - Judgement

2024

Shingo's Ten Duels Shingo's Ten Duels

1990

Biohazard: The Stage Biohazard: The Stage

2015

Man with the Funky Hat Man with the Funky Hat

1961

Virus Virus

1980

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga Battles Without Honor and Humanity: The Complete Saga

1980

Karate Killer Karate Killer

1973

Here Because of You Here Because of You

1964

Game of Chance Game of Chance

1966

Jail Breakers Jail Breakers

1976

The Decisive Power of Aikido The Decisive Power of Aikido

1975

Drifting Detective: Black Wind in Harbor Drifting Detective: Black Wind in Harbor

1961

New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 2: Head of the Boss New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 2: Head of the Boss

1975

Truckster of Guts Truckster of Guts

1977

Four Sisters Four Sisters

1962

King of the Gang King of the Gang

1967

Prison Walls of Abashiri 4 Prison Walls of Abashiri 4

1965

The Last True Yakuza The Last True Yakuza

1985

Hokuriku Proxy War Hokuriku Proxy War

1977

Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder Yakuza Wolf: I Perform Murder

1972

Ninja Wars Ninja Wars

1982

The Resurrection of the Golden Wolf The Resurrection of the Golden Wolf

1979

Seventeen Ninja Seventeen Ninja

1990

Tale of a Company Boss 3 Tale of a Company Boss 3

1961

Army Intelligence Army Intelligence

1968

Tarantino's Mind Tarantino's Mind

2006

Kabukicho High School Kabukicho High School

2014

Street Fighting Man: An Interview with Sonny Chiba Street Fighting Man: An Interview with Sonny Chiba

2019

Tokyo-Seoul-Bangkok Drug Triangle Tokyo-Seoul-Bangkok Drug Triangle

1973

Soul of Chiba Soul of Chiba

1977

Sure Death 4 Sure Death 4

1987

Legend of the Eight Samurai Legend of the Eight Samurai

1983

Body Count Body Count

1995

Unification Of Japan 2 Unification Of Japan 2

2013

Akumyoh 2 Akumyoh 2

2001

次郎長社長と石松社員 安来ぶし道中 次郎長社長と石松社員 安来ぶし道中

1963

Unification of Japan Unification of Japan

2013

Dead Angle Dead Angle

1979

The Noise The Noise

2015

The Awesome Circus Bastard The Awesome Circus Bastard

1984

Tale of Japanese Burglars Tale of Japanese Burglars

1965

Iron Eagle III Iron Eagle III

1992

Take a Chance Take a Chance

2015

All Rascals All Rascals

1962

Classmates Classmates

1967

Human Torpedoes Human Torpedoes

1968

The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze The Young Eagles of the Kamikaze

1968

The Last Kamikaze The Last Kamikaze

1970

Kamikaze, the Adventurer Kamikaze, the Adventurer

1981

Gang vs. G-Men Gang vs. G-Men

1962

Yakuza Warfare Yakuza Warfare

1991

Shakespeare In Tokyo Shakespeare In Tokyo

2018

Minamoto Yoshitsune Minamoto Yoshitsune

1990

Delinquent Boss: Wolves of the City Delinquent Boss: Wolves of the City

1969

Game of Chance 3 Game of Chance 3

1967

The Navy The Navy

1963

The Visitor in the Eye The Visitor in the Eye

1977

Abashiri Prison: Duel in the South Abashiri Prison: Duel in the South

1966

Bond of Justice: Kizuna Part I - Encounter Bond of Justice: Kizuna Part I - Encounter

2023

Sarutobi Sasuke and the Army of Darkness 3 - The Wind Chapter Sarutobi Sasuke and the Army of Darkness 3 - The Wind Chapter

2004

Sarutobi Sasuke and the Army of Darkness 4 - The Fire Chapter Sarutobi Sasuke and the Army of Darkness 4 - The Fire Chapter

2005

Cabaret Cabaret

1986

Message from Space Message from Space

1978

Fearful Witch Fearful Witch

1962

Legend of the Flying Swordsman Legend of the Flying Swordsman

2000

Miracle on Lubang Island: Army Nakano School Miracle on Lubang Island: Army Nakano School

1974

Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die Tetsuro Tamba's Great Spirit World: What Happens When You Die

1989

Mid-August Commotion Mid-August Commotion

1962

Hakata Movie: Chinchiromai Hakata Movie: Chinchiromai

2000

The Rugby Star The Rugby Star

1976

Sensei Sensei

1989

Shashin Koshien Summer in 0.5 Seconds Shashin Koshien Summer in 0.5 Seconds

2017

Code of Ruffians Code of Ruffians

1965

Japan's Don Japan's Don

1977

Taikoki Taikoki

1987

The Okinawa War of Ten Years The Okinawa War of Ten Years

1978

Kotaro, An Audacious Karate Boy Kotaro, An Audacious Karate Boy

1984

Iemitsu, Hikoza and Isshin Tasuke - A National Crisis: Edo Castle in Danger Iemitsu, Hikoza and Isshin Tasuke - A National Crisis: Edo Castle in Danger

1989

Yakuza G-Men Yakuza G-Men

1965

Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair

2011

Oyaji Oyaji

2007

Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes

1998

The Legend of Space Sheriff Gavan The Legend of Space Sheriff Gavan

2012

Kamikaze Cop, The Poison Gas Affair Kamikaze Cop, The Poison Gas Affair

1971

Memoir of Japanese Assassinations Memoir of Japanese Assassinations

1969

Yakuza Legacy Yakuza Legacy

2009

Saito Dosan: Rage of Power Saito Dosan: Rage of Power

1991

Detonation: Violent Riders Detonation: Violent Riders

1975

The Escape The Escape

1962

Japanese Humanity and Justice Japanese Humanity and Justice

1977

Gang Loyalty and Vengeance Gang Loyalty and Vengeance

1963

North Sea Chivalry North Sea Chivalry

1967

Game of Chance 2 Game of Chance 2

1967

Organized Violence Organized Violence

1967

Yakuza Eiga, une histoire du cinéma yakuza Yakuza Eiga, une histoire du cinéma yakuza

2009

A Life of Intimidation A Life of Intimidation

1963

A Narcotics Agent's Ballad A Narcotics Agent's Ballad

1972

The Horrible Obsessions The Horrible Obsessions

1972

The Rickshaw Man’s Son The Rickshaw Man’s Son

1967

Tokyo Earthquake Magnitude 8.1 Tokyo Earthquake Magnitude 8.1

1980

Unification Of Japan Unification Of Japan

2013

Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon

1977

Police Department Story Pt.16: 15 Year Old Woman Police Department Story Pt.16: 15 Year Old Woman

1961

Sushi Girl: A Documentary Sushi Girl: A Documentary

2013

修羅の花道 修羅の花道

2012

Don's Road 6 Don's Road 6

2013

The Bullet Train The Bullet Train

1975

Police Precinct Part 17 Police Precinct Part 17

1961

Survive Style 5+ Survive Style 5+

2004

Hunter in the Dark Hunter in the Dark

1979

Roaring Fire Roaring Fire

1981

Sister Street Fighter Sister Street Fighter

1974

Don's Road 8 Don's Road 8

2013

Don's Road 9 Don's Road 9

2013

A Kamikaze Cop A Kamikaze Cop

1970

The Fall of Ako Castle The Fall of Ako Castle

1978

Terror Beneath the Sea Terror Beneath the Sea

1966

Samurai Reincarnation Samurai Reincarnation

1981

The Bodyguard The Bodyguard

1973

Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima

1973

Night Bitch Night Bitch

1966

Don's Road 7 Don's Road 7

2013

Space Sheriff Shaider: The Movie Space Sheriff Shaider: The Movie

1984

Space Sheriff Shaider: Pursuit! The Strange Kidnappers! Space Sheriff Shaider: Pursuit! The Strange Kidnappers!

1984

Robot Detective: The Movie Robot Detective: The Movie

1973

The Kamikaze Guy The Kamikaze Guy

1966

Sushi Girl Sushi Girl

2012

Explosive City Explosive City

2004

Judo Life Judo Life

1963

Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences Yakuza Wolf 2: Extend My Condolences

1972

Two Lives, Two Yakuza Two Lives, Two Yakuza

1964

South Pacific Waves Are High South Pacific Waves Are High

1962

Judo Hall Demon Judo Hall Demon

1964

Invasion of the Neptune Men Invasion of the Neptune Men

1961

The Storm Riders The Storm Riders

1998

Battle Royale II: Requiem Battle Royale II: Requiem

2003

The Executioner The Executioner

1974

The Killing Machine The Killing Machine

1976

Fall Guy Fall Guy

1982

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift

2006

Return of the Street Fighter Return of the Street Fighter

1974

The Street Fighter's Last Revenge The Street Fighter's Last Revenge

1974

Deadly Outlaw: Rekka Deadly Outlaw: Rekka

2002

Masaaki Hatsumi: Living Ninja Legend Masaaki Hatsumi: Living Ninja Legend

2016

The Street Fighter The Street Fighter

1974

Police Department Story Pt.15: Alibi Police Department Story Pt.15: Alibi

1961

Karate for Life Karate for Life

1977

Karate Bullfighter Karate Bullfighter

1975

Karate Bear Fighter Karate Bear Fighter

1975

Shogun's Samurai Shogun's Samurai

1978

Karate Warriors Karate Warriors

1976

G.I. Samurai G.I. Samurai

1979

Fighting Fist Fighting Fist

1992

New Shadow Warriors III: Jiraika 1 New Shadow Warriors III: Jiraika 1

2003

13 Steps of Maki: The Young Aristocrats 13 Steps of Maki: The Young Aristocrats

1975

Love School Love School

1962

Amazing Masters of Martial Arts Amazing Masters of Martial Arts

1985

New Shadow Warriors IV: Jiraika 2 New Shadow Warriors IV: Jiraika 2

2004

New Shadow Warriors VI: The Final Chapter New Shadow Warriors VI: The Final Chapter

2005

Zankokuna tsuki Zankokuna tsuki

1962

New Shadow Warriors V: Hattori Hanzo vs Onmyoji New Shadow Warriors V: Hattori Hanzo vs Onmyoji

2005

New Shadow Warriors New Shadow Warriors

2003

New Shadow Warriors II New Shadow Warriors II

2003

The Great Okinawa Yakuza War The Great Okinawa Yakuza War

1976

Song of Yakuza Song of Yakuza

1963

Dash to the Sun Dash to the Sun

1966

Born to Be King Born to Be King

2000

Legend of Seven Monks Legend of Seven Monks

2006

浅草の侠客 浅草の侠客

1963

That Cute Girl That Cute Girl

1965

Gambler Tales of Hasshu: A Man's Pledge Gambler Tales of Hasshu: A Man's Pledge

1963

Dragon Princess Dragon Princess

1976

Lonely Hitman: The Blue Wolf Lonely Hitman: The Blue Wolf

2001

Shogun's Shadow Shogun's Shadow

1989

Shogun's Ninja Shogun's Ninja

1980

修羅の花道2 修羅の花道2

2012

Wolf Guy Wolf Guy

1975

Drifting Detective: Tragedy in the Red Valley Drifting Detective: Tragedy in the Red Valley

1961

The Executioner II: Karate Inferno The Executioner II: Karate Inferno

1974

The King The King

1962

Kamikaze Cop, Marihuana Syndicate Kamikaze Cop, Marihuana Syndicate

1970

The Machine Gun Dragon The Machine Gun Dragon

1976

Wandering Ginza Butterfly: She-Cat Gambler Wandering Ginza Butterfly: She-Cat Gambler

1972

Gokudō Tenka Fubu: Act 2 Gokudō Tenka Fubu: Act 2

2017

Orders from Hell Orders from Hell

1964

修羅の伝承 荒ぶる凶犬 修羅の伝承 荒ぶる凶犬

2014

Gokudō tenka fubu Gokudō tenka fubu

2017

Gokudō Tenka Fubu: Act 4 Gokudō Tenka Fubu: Act 4

2017

The Golden Bat The Golden Bat

1966

The Triple Cross The Triple Cross

1992

Kamikaze Cop, No Epitaph to Us Kamikaze Cop, No Epitaph to Us

1971

Kabamaru the Ninja Boy Kabamaru the Ninja Boy

1983

Immortal Combat Immortal Combat

1994

Kill Bill: Vol. 2 Kill Bill: Vol. 2

2004

The Bushido Blade The Bushido Blade

1981

Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord Special Tokugawa Ieyasu – TBS Warlord Special

1988

Man with a Funky Hat: The 20,000,000 Yen Arm Man with a Funky Hat: The 20,000,000 Yen Arm

1961

あの空の果てに星はまたたく あの空の果てに星はまたたく

1962

Kanto Gangster Federation: Chapter 1 Kanto Gangster Federation: Chapter 1

2014

Kanto Gangster Federation: Chapter 2 Kanto Gangster Federation: Chapter 2

2015

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 Kill Bill: Vol. 1

2003

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